Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

364.1121 Jacobson, Israel G./12–2749: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Hungary

secret

Washington, December 27, 1949—7 p. m.

733. Fol is summary JDC views re Jacobson case¹ as stated by Leavitt in meeting with Deptofficers (ur 1366 Dec 20 rptd Vienna 165 and Dept 727 Dec 22 rptd Vienna 1757²) on Dec 23:

1. While expressing grave concern Jacobson’s situation, Leavitt clearly indicated JDC has no intention in present circumstances suspending program Hung. He considers humane and morale obligations JDC to thousands of Jews in Hung now dependent on JDC to sustain life must take precedence over those to Jacobson, even though this may involve sacrifice latter. Also expressed doubt that suspension of operations wld, in any event, benefit Jacobson.

2. Leavitt pointed out that high percentage Jewish community Hung consists aged and women and that, if JDC shld suspend activity even for brief period, many of these people wld die or suffer greatly since Hung Govt wld not provide for them.

3. According to Leavitt, Hung program is largest of current JDC operations and will involve expenditure two and one-half million dollars first six months 1950. However, he does not rule out possibility that during next year Hung Govt, like certain other Eastern Eur Govts, may request JDC terminate its program.

4. When asked whether JDC wld continue adhere present views shld Hung Govt also take action against Berkowitz,³ Leavitt replied that any such step wld create extremely difficult situation but that JDC wld probably seek send in new rep rather than abandon assistance Jewish community Hung.

5. Although Dept emphasized issues principle and prestige at stake Vogeler and Jacobson cases and called attn possible effectiveness suspension JDC operations in bringing about satis settlement Jacobson affair, Leavitt showed no inclination consider such step. Dept concludes from foregoing that only direct interference JDC relief operations by Hung auths wld change present JDC attitude in matter.

Sent Budapest, rptd Vienna.⁴

Acheson

1. Israel G. Jacobson, the Director in Hungary of the American Joint Distribution Committee (an organization seeking to provide assistance to Jews in Eastern Europe), was arrested by Hungarian police on December 15 while on an automobile trip from Vienna to Budapest. Despite the repeated protests of the Legation in Budapest, Jacobson was held incommunicado until his release on December 28. On December 23 the Hungarian Government announced that Jacobson was being held under arrest on suspicion of espionage.
2. Telegram 1366, December 20, from Budapest, not printed, reported that the legation, in pursuance of Department instructions, had delivered an aide-mémoire to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry regarding the arrest of Jacobson. For their part Hungarian authorities continued neither to confirm nor deny the fact that Jacobson was under arrest (364.1121 Jacobson, Israel G.). Telegram 727. December 22, to Budapest, not printed, urged the Legation to continue daily oral representations regarding Jacobson. It also stated that the Department had scheduled a meeting with Moses A. Leavitt, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, for December 23 in order to determine the Committee’s views regarding the suspension of its operations in Hungary (364.1121 Jacobson, Israel G.).
3. Aaron Berkowitz, Jacobson’s principal assistant in Hungary.
4. Repeated to Vienna as telegram 1776.